INSIDE BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY

Community Connections

Faculty, staff make a difference in Greater Binghamton

University faculty and staff members contribute to a variety of Greater Binghamton organizations. Some use talents also on display in their day jobs; others say their off-campus activities are a chance to exercise a completely different side of themselves.

The following profile illustrates just a couple of the ways in which the University community is a tremendous resource for our community at large.

Future installments of this feature will highlight other employees’ contributions.

Do you know of another faculty or staff member making a difference in the Southern Tier?

Dianne Snell of Hillcrest, a keyboard specialist in Human Resources, considers herself a cheerleader for men and women serving with the U.S. Armed Forces. For the last year, she has written letters and sent packages to soldiers stationed overseas through the nonprofit group Soldiers’ Angels.

“They’re over there putting their lives in jeopardy all the time,” she said. “It’s my way of thanking them.”

Snell

Dianne Snell prepares a care package for a soldier she adopted through Soldier's Angels.

has “adopted” two soldiers, both of whom are in Iraq. Each receives two packages per month and a letter or card each week. She corresponds with another 10 soldiers on an informal basis and sends cards to an additional 40 soldiers occasionally. Snell also brings lunch to the local military recruiting office once in a while.

“When you peel back the layers, war is a serious business and very depressing,” Snell said. She feels it’s up to her to bring the soldiers cheerful reminders of home.
Snell’s husband, an Army veteran, supports her work. She said she also likes their children, ages 9 and 14, to learn that it’s important to do something to help others.

Snell’s volunteer work led to an invitation to tour the Pentagon and Fort Lee in April, when she was recognized with an award as an “honorary Army recruiter.”